Top Story

On September 12, 2001, the editorial board of the Kent Stater wrote an opinion that called for revenge following the attacks at the Twin Towers, Pentagon and Shanksville. They wrote, “they are just awakening a sleeping giant- a giant not only in military might but in the human spirit.”

Kent State University aeronautics students return to the ground at the grand opening of the FedEx Aeronautics Academic Center on Sept. 6, 2019. Before the new building, for 20 years the students were taught in trailers.

President Todd Diacon gives Senior Vice President of Flight Operations of FedEx Express, Don Dillman, a framed copy of the sponsorship agreement between FedEx and Kent State University at the FedEx Aeronautics Academic Center grand opening on Sept. 6, 2019.

New Academic Center takes off at Kent State Airport

Kent State University aeronautics students return to the ground at the grand opening of the FedEx Aeronautics Academic Center on Sept. 6, 2019. Before the new building, for 20 years the students were taught in trailers.

Kent State’s new aeronautics facility is officially open after its public unveiling on September 6.

Officially titled the “FedEx Aeronautics Academic Center”, the 17,800 state-of-the-art facility is the first brick and mortar building at the Kent State Airport in Stow, and the second building overall for the College of Aeronautics and Engineering.

Christina L. Bloebaum, dean at the College of Aeronautics and Engineering, began the opening ceremony by introducing several program attendees, including President Todd Diacon and Board of Trustees Vice Chair Shawn Reilly.

Dean of the College of Aeronautics and Engineering, Christina Bloebaum, introduces the new building at the FedEx Aeronautics Academic Center grand opening on Sept. 6, 2019.

Isabel Brinegar

Former interim Dean of the College of Aeronautics and Engineering Robert Sines was also in attendance, alongside Kent Mayor Jerry T. Fiala and several FedEx representatives.

Bloebaum acknowledged the College of Aeronautics and Engineering’s previous approach to education at the airport, making reference to the former aging infrastructure that once stood in place of the new building.

“I’m sure that the aeronautics and engineering alumni and current students joining us here today will find this new facility an amazing replacement for the classroom trailers (that were here) for almost 40 years,” Bloebaum said.

The trailers in which classes were previously held were only meant to be temporary. The new facility replaces the trailers with several collaborative spaces, including a new classroom on the building’s east side.

Attendees were able to tour the facility immediately following its unveiling as well as a flyover by Kent State alumni instructors and students.

Pilots return to their friends and family after an air show at the Kent State FedEx Aeronautics Academic Center grand opening on Sept. 6, 2019.

Isabel Brinegar

Flight simulators populate the building, as the center provides space for large flight simulators, including the AL172 which replicates a Cessna 172SP Skyhawk Nav III aircraft. Additional pilot training in the form of mixed reality is also housed at the building.

The right side of the building accommodates faculty with several new offices and conference rooms.

“From students to alumni, instructors to mechanics, everyone who is going to use these facilities and interact with our program will benefit from this new building,” Bloebaum said. “In CAE, we are not afraid of the future, we embrace it.”

President Todd Diacon expressed gratitude for FedEx’s role in making the building a reality during the opening ceremony.

“Because of (their) gift, we will better educate generations of new pilots. Generations of air traffic controllers, generations of aeronautical engineers and hopefully we’ll pay back (their) generosity by producing great, potential employees.”

President Todd Diacon gives Senior Vice President of Flight Operations of FedEx Express, Don Dillman, a framed copy of the sponsorship agreement between FedEx and Kent State University at the FedEx Aeronautics Academic Center grand opening on Sept. 6, 2019.

Isabel Brinegar

FedEx Corp. provided $5 million to the cause in May. The Board of Trustees accepted the donation on May 9, the final meeting of the spring 2019 semester. It was the second contribution FedEx Corp. made to the university’s aeronautics program, having previously pledged $1.5 million in 2016.

The 2019 Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook projects 804,000 pilots will be required by 2038. With enrollment to the university’s aeronautics and engineering programs quickly growing, the new facility will provide several ways for students to learn.

Don Dillman, senior vice president of Flight Operations at FedEx Express, reiterated the need for aeronautics students to have the necessary tools to prepare for the future.

“It’s imperative that we get the next generation of aeronautics and engineering professionals off to a good start,” Dillman said.

Nick Lavrisiuk is the construction and master plan reporter. Contact him atnlavrisi@kent.edu

Watch the guestbook.Stop watching this guestbook.

(0) entries

Sign the guestbook.

Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language.PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated.Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything.Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person.Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts.Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.